No reason for unilateral sanctions against Iran: Russian official

TEHRAN,Sept.20(MNA) – Russia believes that there is no reason for unilateral sanctions against Tehran, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said on Monday, according to Xinhua. Russia remained convinced that unilateral sanctions undermine the chances of the resumption of negotiating with Tehran, and also significantly hurt the unity of the six powers at the talks, Interfax quoted Gatilov as saying. Russia last week joined Western powers in sponsoring a resolution issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency against the Islamic Republic. Gatilov also said that ministers from the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) plan to meet with Iran’s negotiators to discuss the country’s nuclear program on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting next week. Gatilov told the Interfax news agency that the meeting “has been planned. But no final decision on it has been taken yet.” He said that the 5+1 group plans to hold the meeting during the so-called “Ministerial Week” that kicks off at UN headquarters in New York on September 24.